Heat and Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-018-2387-2

ORIGINAL

Isothermal laminar fluid flow in spiral tube coils

Rahul Harishchandra Patil 1

Received: 18 September 2017 / Accepted: 15 May 2018 / Published online: 8 June 2018
# Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018

Abstract
An experimental study is performed to measure pressure drop for Newtonian fluid flow through copper spirals of different
geometries. The experimental friction factors obtained are presented and correlated with the different geometrical parameters of

  
the spiral coils. Four spiral coils with DDi ratio ranging from 0.0178 to 0.028 and DLi ratio ranging from 527.5 to 2110.169 are
investigated. A new dimensionless number, the R number is introduced which is found to characterize the fluid flow phenomenon
in spiral coil tubes. An innovative approach to correlate Dean and R numbers with friction factor data of variable curvature coils
for laminar flow regime is presented for the first time. The study will prove useful to bridge the gap between the straight tube flow
and curved coil flow based on a single dimensionless number.

Nomenclature De

Di  Dean number, = Re √ (Di/D)
a, b Correlation constants D Variable curvature ratio
c, d Correlation constants f Friction factor
a1, b1 Correlation constants fc Friction factors for spiral coil
c1, d1 Correlation constants fs Friction factors for straight tube
a2, b2 Correlation constants ΔH Difference in pressure head (m)
c2, d2 Correlation constants  
L Tube length (m)
L
a3, b3 Correlation constants Di Ratio of length to diameter
c3, d3 Correlation constants m Mass of the fluid (kg)
C, φ, Correlation constants m˙ Mass flow rate (kg/s)
n1, n2 Correlation constants n Number of spiral coil turns
Cp Specific heat at constant pressure (J/kg K)  
P Pitch of coil (m)
P
D Average diameter of curvature for a spiral (m) Di Ratio of pitch to diameter of spiral coiled tube
μC
Dco Maximum diameter of coil (m) Pr Prandtl number = k p
Dci Minimum diameter of coil (m) r
 Radius of spiral coil
dp
Di Inside diameter of spiral coil tube (m) ds Pressure gradient along the centerline of curved
Do Outside diameter of Spiral Coil tube (m) tube rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi
L
R A newqffiffiffiffiffidimensionless number = R e Di
Highlights =De DLD2
i
• An innovative approach of correlating friction factors with Dean number Re Reynold’s number
for fluid flow in spiral coils is presented. Re crit. Critical Reynold’s number
• A new dimensionless number R number is proposed, justified and the
significance of this number is explained. Re crit. min . Minimum critical Reynold’s number
• R number successfully characterizes the fluid flow phenomenon in Re crit: max: Maximum critical Reynold’s number
curved pipes t1 Inlet temperature of fluid (°C)
• The correlations developed can be used for spiral coil design of the t2 Outlet temperature of fluid (°C)
thermal systems.
tw1 to tw3 Outer wall temperatures of the spiral coil tube
(°C)
* Rahul Harishchandra Patil
rhpatil9@gmail.com V Mean axial velocity in curved coils (m/s)
Vs Mean axial velocity in straight tubes (m/s)
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pillai Institute of
Information Technology, Engineering, Media Studies & Research, Greek Symbols
New Panvel 410206, India Δ Prefix denoting a difference or change
3674
θ Angle of spiral coiled tube as it advances from centre
(rad)
μ Dynamic viscosity (Pa s)
ρ Fluid density (kg/m3)
ρm Fluid density of manometric fluid (kg/m3)
1 Introduction
Straight tubes and curved coil tubes are mostly used in heat
exchanger industries. Curved coil tubes are classified as tubes
with constant curvature and tubes with variable curvature. In
constant curvature coil tubes, the curvature ratio of the coil
remains constant throughout the length of the coil. In variable
curvature coils the curvature ratio of the coil varies constantly
along the length of the coil. Helical coil tubes and torus are the
examples of constant curvature coils whereas spiral coil tube
is an example of variable curvature coil. Frictional drop in-
creases in case of variable curvature coils because of intense
mixing of fluid particles due to continuously varying curva-
ture of the coil. Helical coil tubes are generally used to either
cool or heat fluid in industry, chemical reactors, boiler, textile
and paper industries. Spiral coil tubes are used in process heat
exchangers, to improve mass flow rates such as in membrane
blood oxygenators and in Kidney dialysis machines, refriger-
ation and air-conditioning systems, heat recovery systems,
automotive industries, and food industries and chemical pro-
cessing Shah [1]. Grindley and Gibbson [2] had used a helical
coil tube made of lead in their experiment to find the viscosity
of air at different temperatures. The internal diameter of the
tube was 3.175 mm. The authors found critical velocity for the
flow of air through the pipe at different temperatures. In addi-
tion, the frictional resistance of air through the pipe under
turbulent flow condition was found to be independent of the
pressure of air flowing through the helical pipe. Flow through
curved pipe was exclusively studied for the first time by
Eustice [3]. The author in his experiment found that, below
critical velocity the flow was proportional to velocity in
straight tubes but the flow in helical coils was proportional
to velocity raised to the power 1.25 and this value went on
increasing as the curvature ratio of the coil increased. To dis-
cover the cause of this departure, Eustice presented his second
paper [4]. The author in his colored die injection experiment,
showed that when water flowed through the straight portion of
the curved tube of uniform cross-section the filaments of color
maintained their form and relative position. The author also
observed that when the fluid entered the curved portion of the
tube some of the filaments spread into bands of color and
crossed to the inner part of the tube travelling around the
section close to the walls. Finally, the author concluded that
the flow in curved pipe was different from the usual flow that
was observed in straight pipe and requires further
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693
investigation. Analytical study of Dean [5, 6] revealed that if
two pipes having different curvature ratios are studied for flow
characteristics for same pressure gradient than the ratios of
their mass flow rates can be determined by Dean number
alone. For fully developed flow in a torus, Dean developed a
solution based on perturbation of Poiseuille flow in straight
pipe for Dean numbers less than 20.45 and as a limiting case
of curvature ratio tending to zero. The ratio of mean velocity
through the torus to the mean velocity in the straight pipe
considering the same pressure gradient in both the pipes was
given by the author as:
V
¼ 1−0:03058 K 2 þ 0:01195 K 4 ð1Þ
Vs
ρ2 ð i Þ

D 7
dp 2
where, K ¼ 2 μ4 2 D −1
ð 2 Þ 48 ds


− dp
ds is the pressure gradient as the fluid passes through
centerline of the torus [6] or helical coil [7]. The Dean equa-
tion considering friction factors can be written in different
form and is given in Table 1. Topakoglu further extended the
Dean solution to include the higher values of the curvature
ratio. White [7] experimentally studied the curved pipe fluid
flow phenomenon in general in three pipes of curvature ratios
0.00048, 0.02 and 0.066. Secondary flow in spiral coils was
sudied by Noble et al. as cited in [13]. They had not consid-
ered the effect of geometrical parameters of spiral coil tubes in
their study. Kubair and Kuloor [14, 15] have presented data on
static pressure drop occuring at the inner end and at the outer
end of the spiral for water flowing through copper spirals of
different geometry at various points on the spirals. The effect
of curvature ratio and length to diameter ratio on the static
pressure drop and the influence of static pressure drop at the
inner end and at the outer end of the spiral on total axial
pressure drop and onset of turbulence in spiral coils is studied
by them in their papers. The correlation proposed by the au-
thors is given by:
 −0:15
Di 2 1
V ¼ 0:4628 ð2gΔH Þ 2 ð2Þ
LD
where, ΔH is the pressure drop at the inner end and at the
outer end of the spiral. Axial pressure drop for fluids flowing
through different spiral coils for Newtonian fluids was also
studied by the same authors [16, 17] for laminar, transition
and turbulent flows. For laminar flow, Reynold’s number
greater than 300, the correlation given by the authors was:
 0:3
Di 2
f c ¼ 12:74 Re −0:5 ð3Þ
LD
Table 1 Developed correlations by earlier researchers on curved coils

Investigator Range of main Type of flow Type of curved coil Type of study Correlations developed and notes.
dimensionless numbers
8 "

#2 "

#4 9−1
Dean [6] De ˂ 20 Laminar Torus Analytical =
fc < Re 2 DDi Re 2 DDi
¼ 1−0:03058 þ0:00725
fs : 288 288 ;

where, fs = R16e ; fc, fs are the fanning

friction
 factors for torus and
straight tube respectively; Re 2 DDi = square of Dean number.
Constant curvature coil was used in the study. Due to low values
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

of Dean number the velocity profile of the curved coil was nearly
parabolic
  in nature same as that of straight pipe. Maximum value
fc
of obtained was 1.02 for De ˂ 20.45.
fs
2 0 1
3−1
!0:45 10:45
White [7] 11.6 ˂ De ˂ 2000 Laminar and turbulent Curved tube Experimental fc 6 @ 11:6
p ffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi A 7
f s ¼ 41− 1− R 5
0.058 ˂ Re ˂
41000
 e ðDDi Þ
0:00048 < DDi < 0:066

The curvature ratio DDi of the coil was held constant in the experiment.
Laminar as well as turbulent flow range was covered. White proved
that curvature of the coil does not assist in turbulence or instability
in flow. Criterion for critical Reynold’s number was not established.
h 1
i
fc
Adler [8] 300 ˂ Re ˂
11770
 Laminar and turbulent Torus Analytical fs ¼ 0:1064 ðDe Þ2
0:005 < DDi < 0:02
Boundary layer theory was used in his analysis. Dean numbers covered
were
h greater than those
i of Dean.
fc 0:37
Prandtl as cited in [9] 40 ˂ De ˂ 2000 Laminar and turbulent Helical coil Experimental f ¼ 0:288 ðDe Þ
s

The correlation is simple and does not require any separate curvature
ratio term same as that of Adler’s correlation for the torus.

pffiffiffiffiffiffi ffi
fc 21:5 Re ðDDi Þ
Ito [10] 1500 ˂ Re ˂
250000
 Laminar and Turbulent Curved tube Experimental fs ¼

p ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi5:73
0:00154 < DDi < 0:0609 1:56þlog Re ðDDi Þ

35 ˂ De ˂ 2200

 h i
fc
Mujawar et al. [9] 0:0100 < DDi < 0:0695 Laminar and Turbulent Helical coil Experimental fs ¼ 0:26 ðDe Þ0:36

This equation is similar to Prandtl equation. It agrees quite well with

Srinivasan et al. [11]
Ito’s turbulent flow equation.
fc
De ˂ 30; Laminar and Turbulent Helical coil Experimental f s ¼ 1 for De < 30;
30 ˂ De ˂ 300 = 0.419 De0.275 for 30 ˂ De ˂ 300;
De ˃ 300, = 0.1125 De0.5 for De ˃ 300,
According to Srinivasan et al. only Dean number is enough to
characterize the fluid flow phenomenon in helical coils.
3675
 3676 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

for

This correlation is generally used widely for design purpose. Dean

number in order to account for the variation in pitch on friction

number in the above equation can be substituted by helical coil
300 < Re < 7000;

and for turbulent flow the correlation given by the authors

was:
 0:9
 0:5

Di
3
De 5

f c − f s ¼ 0:1025 ð4Þ
88:33

D

Di !2 

Adler [8], Ito [10] and Schmidt [18] have studied the
3
D
Correlations developed and notes.

curved coils experimentally and they have presented

1 þ

pressure drop correlations for various configurations of

þ
1m

factors in helical coils.

C
C
C
 2 0:5 A

curvature ratios and Reynold’s numbers. Adler’s and

where, m = 2 for De ˂ 20
m = 1 for 20 ˂ De ˂ 40


Ito’s correlations have been listed in Table 1. Trusdell

0:18

1 þ D35e

m = 0 for De ˃ 40

and Adler [19] developed a numerical solution to fluid

flow problem in a torus by using finite difference meth-
¼ 6B1− 

od in their analysis. The effect of pitch of the helical

20
B
6B
f s 4@
fc 6

coils on the flow was studied by Mishra and Gupta [20]

experimentally. The correlation proposed by the authors
was as follows:
Type of study

Numerical

fc
¼ 1 þ 0:033ðlogH e Þ4 ð5Þ
fs
Type of curved coil

for
Helical coil

1 < H e < 3000

h
P 2 i−0:5
where, H e is the helical number ¼ De 1 þ πD .
Malnapaz and Churchill [12] numerically studied helical coils
for finite values of pitch, their correlation is given in Table 1.
Type of flow

Navier-Stokes equations were solved numerically by Tarbell

and Samuels [21] for a torus or helical coils with small pitch
Laminar

value assuming physical properties of the fluid to be indepen-

dent of temperature. The correlation developed by them was
as follows:
dimensionless numbers

> 0:33

fc
¼1
fs
2 3

Di 
Range of main

6 0:007964 7
De > 40;

þ6 7
40:0008279 þ  D  5Re −0:0000002096Re ð6Þ
2

Di
Manlapaz and Churchill [12]

for
 
Table 1 (continued)

D
20 < De < 500; 3 < < 30:
Di
Investigator

The authors have observed in their study that, Dean

number alone is not enough to correlate friction factor ratio
in a curved pipe, but it can be correlated well if friction
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3677

factor ratio is expressed as a function of Reynold’s number the authors in three groups, depending on curvature ratios.
and curvature ratio. Effect of curvature ratios on flow de- First group coils (3 coils) were termed as strong curvature
velopments in the horizontal spirally coiled tubes was in- coils. The critical Reynold’s number correlation given by
vestigated by Paisarn Naphon et al. [22]. Their predicted them for strong curvature coils was:
results for the flow characteristics obtained by them agree  −0:47  
D Di
with their experiment. According to their study the centrif- Re crit ¼ 30000 for 0:04166 < < 0:1449 ð7Þ
ugal force has significant effect on the enhancements of the Di D
pressure drop in spiral tube coils. Due to the centrifugal
force the friction factors obtained from the spirally coiled Second group coils was termed as medium curvature coils
tube are 1.49, 1.50 times higher than those from the (6 coils). These coils were further divided in two groups de-
straight tube. Fluid flow characteristics of spiral coil tube pending on the discontinuities observed in the friction factor
for constant wall heat flux was investigated by YOO Geun- vs. Reynold’s numbr curve within the specified Reynold’s
jong et al. [23]. A numerical analysis to investigate flow in number range. For first group of medium curvature coils with
spiral coil tube heat exchanger was undertaken by them. Reynold’s number range 2900 ˂ R e ˂ 4200, the critical
Pimenta and Campos [24] have studied flow through heli- Reynold’s number correlation given by the authors was:
cal coils maintained at constant wall temperature.
 −0:31  
According to their findings friction factors of coils subject- D Di
ed to simultaneous heat transfer with flow of Newtonian Re crit:medium−1 ¼ 12500 for 0:0097 <
Di D
fluids could be computed by using the various correlations
available in literature for helical coils under isothermal flow < 0:028 ð8Þ
condition. The influence of curvature ratio of the helical
The above furmula is nearly same as the correlation of
coil on pressure drop characteristic in shell and tube heat
Kubair and Varrier [29] as stated in Table 5. The critical
exchanger is studied by Salem et al. [25]. They observed
Reynold’s number correlation for second group of medium
an increase in Fanning friction factor with an increase in
curvature coils with the discontinuity observed within the
curvature ratio of the coil. When coil curvature increased
Reynold’s number range of 8500 ˂ Re ˂ 16000 given by the
from 0.0392 to 0.1194 in helical coils the average increase
authors was:
of friction factor was about 33.2–7.7%. An excellent review
on the fluid flow and heat transfer has been presented by  −0:57  
D Di
Shah et al. [1] and Rohsenow et al. [26] in their hand- Re crit:medium−2 ¼ 120000 for 0:0097 <
Di D
books. Ghobadi and Muzychka and Paisarn Naphon et al.
[27, 28] have presented a review paper on curved coils. < 0:028 ð9Þ
Numerical and experimental correlations on friction factors
are reviewed by them in their paper. When a graph of
friction factor vs. Reynold’s number is plotted for a straight Third group coils (3 coils) were termed by them as mild
pipe a sharp break is observed which indicates that the curvature coils. The critical Reynold’s number correlation giv-
flow is changing from laminar to turbulent. In case of en by them for mild curvature coils was:
curved pipe no such sharp point is observed but the change "  −1:12 #  
is gradual and it becomes difficult to discriminate the flow, D Di
laminar or turbulent. In curved pipe flow in addition to Re crit mild ¼ 2300 1 þ 210 for
Di D
viscous forces the inertia forces have to overcome the re-
sistance offered by centrifugal forces also which in turn < 0:0066 ð10Þ
increases the value of Reynold’s number. Hence laminar
flow in curved pipe persists for large Reynold’s number A number of papers and books [32–39] were also referred
and the phenomenon of turbulence in curved pipe is de- to, in the present study. The criterion for critical Reynold’s
layed. Table 2 gives a summary of critical Reynold’s num- number followed in this experiment was that of Schmidt
ber as observed by various investigators in their experi- [18]. The objectives of the present study were: (1) To study
ments. Table 5 gives the critical Reynold’s number accord- the influence of Dean number on fluid flow to Newtonian
ing to the correlations of different investigators for the coils fluids flowing through the spiral coil tubes isothermally. (2)
used in the present experiment. Cioncolini and Santini [30, To develop empirical corelations for Newtonian fluids
31] have experimented on helical coils for adiabatic coiled flowing isothermally through spiral coil tubes in terms of fric-
pipe flow and also for isothermal pipe flow to study the tion factor and Dean number. (3) To study and to justify the
transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. In helical use of the new dimensionless number introduced for fluid
coils subjected to adiabatic flow the coils were divided by flow phenomenon in curved coils.
3678 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

Table 2 Summary of the correlations on critical Reynold’s number

Investigator Curvature Ratio Correlation proposed Type of tube Type of study and notes
for Re crit. or coil

Osborne Reynolds 0 Re crit = ~2100 to 2300 Straight Quantitative/ Experimental

Grindley and Gibson [2] 1/112 No correlation was proposed Helical Qualitative/Experimental Range
of Reynolds number covered
was 25 to 1400. Air was used.
Eustice [3, 4] 1/14.6 No correlation was proposed Helical Qualitative/Experimental
Range of Reynolds number covered
was 21 to 6000. Critical velocity
was not observed. Water was used.

Di 
White [7] 0:00048 < D < 0:066 Re crit = 3200 for curvature Helical coil Quantitative/ Experimental but no
ratio = 0.00048 correlation was proposed for Re crit.
Re crit = 6000 for curvature Range of Reynold’s number
ratio = 0.02 covered = 16 to 41,000
Re crit = 9000 for curvature
ratio = 0.066
2 3

Di  6 7
Ito [10] 0:00154 < D < 0:0609 Re crit ¼ 2000 41 þ 13:2
0:6 5 Curved tube Quantitative/ Experimental. Range
D
Di of Reynold’s number covered
2 3 = 1500 to 250000

Di  6 7
Kubair and Varrier [29] 0:1 < D < 0:0005 Re crit ¼ 412730
0:32 5 Helical coil Quantitative/ Experimental.
D
Di

Di 
Di 0:2

Kubair and Kuloor [15] 0:0005 < D < 0:103 Re crit ¼ 12730 D Spiral coiled tube Quantitative/

Experimental for
2 3 spiral, DDi is the average
curvature ratio of the coil.

Di  6 8:6 7
Schmidt [18] D > 0:005 Re crit ¼ 2300 41 þ  0:32 5 Helical coil Quantitative/ Experimental
D
Di

2 3

Di  6 12 7
Srinivasan et al. [11] D > 0:005 Re crit ¼ 2100 41 þ  0:5 5 Helical coil Quantitative/ Experimental
D
Di

Di 
Srinivasan et al. [11] D > 0:005 Re2crit:min ¼ 21003 Spiral coiled tube Quantitative/ Experimental
Re crit. min is for maximum
6 12 7 diameter of the spiral coil
41 þ  0:5 5
Dco
Di

Di 
Srinivasan et al. [11] D > 0:005 Re2crit:max ¼ 2100
3 Spiral coiled tube Quantitative/ Experimental
Re crit. max is for minimum
6 12 7 diameter of spiral coil
41 þ  0:5 5
Dci
Di

2 Materials and methods
2.1 Experimental procedure
The geometry of spiral coil is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the
schematic diagram of actual set-up and Fig. 3 shows the actual
set-up along with the four spiral coils used in the experiment. The
object of the present study was to investigate the isothermal
frictional pressure drop for the Newtonian fluid flowing through
spiral coil tubes. Medium thickness copper coil tubes (thick-
ness = 1 mm) were selected for the fluid flow experiment. The
inside surface of the coil was smooth and hence, the effect of
surface roughness on the correlations developed could be
neglected. The geometrical details of the spiral coils used in the
experiment are listed in Table 3. The curvature ratios covered in
qffiffiffiffi
the experimental coils, range from 0.0178 to 0.028 and the DL i
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3679

Fig. 1 The geometry of spiral coil

ratio covered ranged from 22.96 to 45.93. Ready available pan- board and the boundries of the spiral coils were outlined. A
cake coils were bent into spiral coils of required dimensions. First square cross-sectional flexible rubber chord with side of the
a detail drawing of the spiral coil to scale was drawn on a card square equal to outer diameter of the spiral coil tube was pasted

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of the

experimental set-up
U tube manometer Measuring Cylinder

Coo-
ling
Tow Heat
Soluon er Exch-
Tank Water Tank 650L anger
--

tw3 P2 tw2 tw1 p1 Pump

Gear Pump

Spiral coil

Abbreviaon: P1 = Inlet pressure probe

P2 = Outlet pressure probe

3680 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

experimental spiral coil. Pancake coil end was then inserted in

0:33
Coil-1 Coil-2
Coil-3 Coil-4
Fig. 3 The actual experimental set-up along with four spiral coils used in
the experiment
on the outline of spiral drawn on the cardboard carefully. Cement
concrete was poured on the cardboard and it was properly
pitched. The solid mould along with pasted rubber chord was
allowed to cure for about three to 4 days and then the rubber
chord was carefully stripped off. The mould was thus prepared
and the shape of mould cavity exactly resembled to the
the slot and then it was slowly and steadly bent to form a spiral
coil. The spiral coil along with the mould was then heated to a
temperature of about 400–500 °C. with a kerocene stove in order
to releave the stresses indused during the bending of the coil. The
distortion of the circular cross-section of the tube was thus main-
tained to a minimum about 0.5%. The coil was then carefully
stripped-off from the mould cavity. The coil was carefully fitted
in the slots of three teflon liners, 5 mm thick placed at about 120°,
with slots at a distance equal to the selected pitch of the particular
coil. The dimensions, such as the internal and external diameter
of the spiral coiled tube was measured by a vernier calliper with
least count = 0.01 mm. The average diameter of the coil was the
arithmatic mean of the maximum and minimum coil diameters,
which were measured by a scale having least count = 1 mm.
Many readings were taken at different positions of the coil and
a mean value was selected for calculation. At coil diameter, near-
ly 50 mm or less, in all the coils a visible change in the cross-
section of the coil was observed. Hence the minimum diameter
of all the coils selected was always kept greater than 80 mm. The
maximum diameter of the coil was selected according to the
curvature ratio and the length of the coil desired. A hydrodynam-
ic developing length of 0.8 m was provided for the full develop-
ment of velocity profile inside the spiral coil. The hydrodynamic
developing length or calming length at the entry and exit was
calculated according to the formula of Austin and seader [40]:
 
Di
φ ¼ 49 De ð11Þ
D


where, DDi is the curvature ratio of the curved tube and φ is the
angle of curvature of the tube when the velocity profile gets fully
developed. A straight entry length of 0.9 m was also provided in
addition to the curved entry length. The spiral coil turns of each
coil were held in their position by inserting three to six Teflon
sheets of 5 mm thickness 120° apart with grooves spaced as per
the pitch of the coil. The oil flow system consisted of a close
circuit arrangement of heat exchanger, solution tank and gear
pump arranged in series. The water flow closed system consisted
of water tank, pump, heat exchanger and cooling tower in series.
RTD’s were positioned in water resistant slots on the spiral coils
specially made to hold the RTD sensor in position to measure the
temperature of the wall of the spiral coil. Two RTD rod type
sensors (2 mm diameter and 6 mm long) were inserted inside
the tubes before the flow developing sections to sense the inlet
and outlet temperatures of the flowing fluid. The RTD’s used
were calibrated and their accuracy was ±0.1 °C. and the least
count of temperature indicators was 0.1 °C. The flow rate of
the fluid was measured by a graduated cylinder (1 L) and a
stopwatch. Two pressure taps were used to measure the fluid
pressure at the inlet and outlet of the spiral coil. The holes were
drilled perpendicular to the wall of the spiral and burrs were
removed thoroughly. Mercury differential manometer was
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3681

Table 3 The physical dimensions of the spiral coils used in the experiment

Spiral Maximum Minimum Average Pitch Length Number Outer diameter Inner diameter Curvature q ffiffiffiffi Ratio
Ratio
L L
coils diameter of diameter of diameter of of coil of coil of turns of coil tube of coil tube Ratio Di Di
Di
coil coil coil P L n Do Di D
Dco Dci D

Coil-1 0.713 0.009 0.419 0.026 15.32 12 0.00985 0.008 0.019 43.75 1914.675
Coil-2 0.551 0.128 0.331 0.0185 12.45 12 0.00791 0.0059 0.0178 45.93 2109.661
Coil-3 0.515 0.133 0.316 0.0505 4.22 4.375 0.00985 0.008 0.0253 22.96 527.5
Coil-4 0.472 0.097 0.285 0.015 10.90 12 0.00985 0.008 0.028 36.92 1362.95

manufactured for the experiment and calibrated to measure the
pressure difference. Repeated trials were taken to check the re-
producibility of the results. Uncertainty in measurement was cal-
culated according to formula given in Holman [41]. The uncer-
tainty in measuring mass flow rate was found to be ±2.5%. The
uncertainty in measuring pressure difference was found to be
±2%. The uncertainty in measuring temperature was found to
be ±1%. The uncertainty in measuring friction factors and
Reynold’s numbers was found to be ±5%. The diameter of the
holes for pressure taps were 1.59 mm in diameter. With such a
small diameter holes the possibility of interference of the holes
watch. The same procedure was repeated for different fluids used
for different flow rates.
2.2 Determination of the friction factors
The difference of pressure between the two points, inlet and
outlet in the spiral coil was measured in terms of head of the
mercury column. The equation used to convert the head in
terms of mercury to head in terms of flowing fluid in the spiral
coiled tube was:
 

with the secondary flow was assumed to be minimum. ρm

ΔH fluid ¼ ΔH as observed in manometer −1 ð12Þ
Cioncolini and Santini [30] had drilled a hole of 2 mm in their ρ
experiment for pressure tapings and Kubair and Kuloor [17] had
drilled holes of 1.59 mm in their experiments on fluid flow. The The properties of the fluids were determined at the mean
drilled holes were cleaned for burrs by inserting small sand paper temperature of the fluid. The friction factors were calculated
and file and scrubbing. The thermo-physical properties of the oils using the relation:
used in the experiment were known by the supplier’s catalogue

2f c LV 2
these were further checked for their values from the data of ΔH fluid ¼ ð13Þ
gDi
Andrew [42]. The fluids used in the experiment were petroleum
base oil SN70 and Water. The fluids were so chosen that the Reynold’s number was calculated using the relation,
difference in their viscosities was wide. Generally, viscosities of
Re ¼ ρVDμ , where μ was calculated at the mean temperature of
i

fluids used in industry fall within the range of viscosities of fluids

used in this experiment. The fluid was admitted in the spiral coil the fluid.
with experimental conditions as listed in Tables 4. The pressure
drop was measured by a U-tube mercury manometer. For higher
Reynold’s numbers or high flow rates water was used and lower 3 Results
range of flow rates were covered by petroleum base oil SN70.
Flow rates were recorded by measuring a quantity of fluid This section is divided into two parts depending on the
flowing for a known time by using measuring cylinder and stop dimensionless number used in the correlations such as:

Table 4 The experimental conditions

Coil Fluid used Rate of flow Range of Reynold’s Range of Dean Range of R Experimental
number kg/s number covered number covered number covered condition

1 Petroleum base oil 0.006733–0.048 153.0816–10,913.59 21.10084–1504.334 6698.389–477,545.8 Isothermal

SN70, Water
2 Petroleum base oil 0.00049–0.046875 4.105633–3930.064 0.54776–524.3359 188.5988–180,533.7
SN70, Water
3 Petroleum base oil 0.001975–0.032258 44.90604–7334.4 7.100269–1159.67 1031.374–168,451.9
SN70, Water
4 Petroleum base oil 0.000967–0.048077 21.99125–10,931.08 3.67984–1829.119 811.7423–403,488.5
SN70, Water
3682 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

(1) Development of correlations based on Dean number
(2) Development of correlations based on Rnumber
3.1 Development of correlations based on Dean
number
Generally, fluid flow characterization in case of curved
coils is done in literature by using the Dean number. The
significance of Dean number is that it can be interpreted
as the ratio of the product of centrifugal force and inertia
force to the square of viscous force. There are different
forms of Dean numbers available in literature. All the
forms of Dean numbers are a suitable combination of
two dimensionless numbers; the Reynolds number and
the curvature ratio of the coil under consideration. The
most basic form of Dean number is:
 
Di
De ¼ Re √ ð14Þ
D const:


where, DDi const: is constant for a coil such as a helical coil or a
torus or a circular coil. The second form [43] of Dean number is:
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi
Di
De ¼ Re
D


where, DDi is the variable curvature ratio. Example of vari-
able curvature coil is a spiral coil. ‘M’ number is another form
of Dean number based on the fluid flow curves and curvature
ratio relationship. This number was proposed by Mujawar
et al. [9] as a criterion for laminar flow in curved coil. The
form of M number for Newtonian fluids is:
M number in their heat transfer studies on helical coils.
Recently, Dean number was used to characterize the heat
transfer phenomenon in spiral coils by Patil et al. [43] and
Patil [46]. Whether Dean number will be able to characterize
the fluid flow problem in spiral coils was not known, in this
paper an attempt has been done to study the relation between
the frictional resistance and Dean number in spiral coils. Also,
an investigation has been done to see whether Dean number is
enough to fully characterize the fluid flow phenomenon oc-
curring in spirals or an additional curvature ratio term is re-
quired according to Tarbell and Samuels [21]. The functional
form of the relation between friction factor and Dean number
can be written as:
 λ4
λ1 fc λ2 λ3 Di
f c ¼ C 1 De or ¼ C 2 De or f c ¼ C 3 De
fs D
where, C1, C2, C3 and λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4 are the constants to be
determined from experiments. fc and fs are the Fanning friction
factors of curved coiled tubes
  and straight tube respectively.
The value of fs is taken as 16
. The form fc
= C2 De λ2 is
Re fs
subjected to criticism Ali [47] and will not be considered for
the development of the correlation considering this form.
ð15Þ Variation of ln fc with ln De is shown for petroleum base oil
SN70 and water flowing through coils-(1–4) in Fig. 4. The
Pearson’s r value is −0.98911. The 95% confidence interval
band and prediction interval band is also shown in the figure.
The correlation for laminar flow in terms of Dean number is as
follows:
f c ¼ 1:554 De −0:845 ð17Þ

Rej
M¼
D i l ð16Þ for
r1 D  
Di
In the above equation j, r1 and l are constants which 0:55≤ De ≤ 1830; 0:0178≤ ≤ 0:028; 4 ≤Re≤ 11000
D
depend on the curved coil. Mujawar et al. had used heli-
cal coils in their investigation. They have fruitfully ap- The linear model explains the confidentiality by about
plied M number to characterize the hydrodynamics of 96.65%. The non-dimensional mean bias error was found to be
flow of any fluid Newtonian or non-Newtonian, flowing −1.77348% and the standard deviation was found to be 14.66%.
through the helical coils. Pawar et al. [44, 45] have used In addition, root mean square error, RMSE was found to be

Table 5 Critical Reynold’s number according to the correlations of different investigators for the coils used in the present experiment
Di
Coil D Cioncolini and Cioncolini and Ito [10] Kubair and Srinivasan Srinivasan et al. Schmidt [18] Kubair and
No. Santini [30] Santini [30] Varrier [29] et al. [11], [11], Re crit. max . Kuloor [15]
First Second Re crit. min .
discontinuity discontinuity

1 0.019 3664.11 12,567.73 4448.25 3581.21 4774.95 8351.35 7864.52 5762.08

2 0.0178 3584.62 12,071 4352.68 3505.96 4710.03 7936.84 7747.59 5686.10
3 0.025 3999.12 14,761.17 4862.85 3892.84 5225.68 8606.61 8348.72 6070.54
4 0.028 4189.39 16,078.23 5092.88 4056.64 5387.73 9300 8603.25 6228.95
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3683

Fig. 4 Variation of friction factor Equation fc=1.554(De)-0.845

(ln fc) vs. (ln De) for coils 1–4, 99.5

used to develop correlation (17)

0 Pearson's r -0.98911
95
under isothermal steady state

Percentiles
70
condition
40
-1
10

-2 0.01
-0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
Residual

ln fc
1.0
-3
0.5

Residual
-4
0.0

Coil-1, SN70, Water

-5 Coil-2, SN70, Water
Coil-3, SN70, Water -0.5
Coil-4, SN70, Water
Correlation line -6 -4 -2 0
-6 95% Confidence band Fitted ln fc
95% Prediction band

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
ln De
0.6 0.9782
Equation fc corr=0.9246(fc exp)
Pearson's r 0.96658 99.5

95
Percentiles

70
Predicted friction factors

40

10
0.4
1

0.01
-0.10 -0.05 0.00 0.05
Residual

0.05

0.2
0.00
Residual

-0.05

-0.10

Correlation line
0.0 0.2 0.4
0.0 95% Confidence band Fitted predicted friction factors
95% Prediction band

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2

Experimental friction factors
Fig. 5 Comparison of experimental friction factors and predicted friction factors for fluid flow through spiral-coiled tube under isothermal steady state
condition and cross-plots of normal probability plots of residuals and residuals vs. fitted predicted friction factors for correlation (17)
3684 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

18.25%. A cross plot of percentiles vs. residuals is shown in
Fig. 5, this plot is a straight line indicating that the residuals are
normally distributed. A cross plot of residuals vs. fitted predicted
friction factors is also shown in Fig. 5. The points are well
scattered about the fitted line which indicates that the fit is good.
Fig. 6 is a plot of ln fc vs. ln De number, the average value of
the slope of four coils was found to be −0.862. It is observed
correlation (18) are shown in Fig. 8. The agreement between
the two seems to be good also; it is clear from the curve fitting
that the linear model explains the confidentiality by about
96.65%. The non-dimensional mean bias error, which is the
measure of inaccuracy in experimental and predicted values,
 
N f cexp: − f ccorr:
is given by the formula MBE ¼ 100 N ∑1 f where, N
cexp:

from the plot that the lines are well separated from each other and is the number of test points. The calculated value of MBE was

 found to be −1.4982% and the standard deviation, which is
depend on DDi i.e., the curvature ratios of the specific coils. This  
N  f cexp: − f ccorr: 
indicates that only Dean number is not enough to characterize the calculated by the formula, SD ¼ 100N ∑ 1  f  was found
cexp:
fluid flow phenomenon occurring in spiral coil tube. A cross-plot to be 12.48%. In addition, root mean square error, RMSE is

 rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
of ln DDi vs. ln fc/De−0.862 is also shown in Fig. 6. Figure 7 is a  f − f 2
correlation plot which yields the correlation, with Pearson’s cor- given by the formula RMSE; ¼ 100  N1 ∑N1 cexp:f ccorr:
cexp:

relation coefficient being −0.99256, was found to be 16.05%. A cross plot of percentiles vs. resid-
  0:51165 uals is shown in Fig. 8, this plot is a straight line indicating that
Di
¼ 11:305
f c for De −0:855 ð18Þ the residuals are normally distributed. A cross plot of residuals
D vs. fitted predicted friction factors is also shown in Fig. 8. The
 
Di points are well scattered about the fitted line which indicates
0:55≤ De ≤ 1830; 0:0178≤ ≤ 0:028; 4 ≤Re≤ 11000 that the fit is good. In developing the correlations for fluid
D
flow through spiral coils based on Dean number, curvature
The experimental values of friction factors were compared ratio at the average value coil diameter (Davg) was considered.
with predicted values of friction factors as obtained from An attempt was done to develop correlations based on Dean

Coil Di/D ratio Slope

1 Coil-1 0.019 -0.86
Coil-2 0.0178 -0.863
Coil-3 0.025 -0.852
0 Coil-4 0.028 -0.873
Avg.Slope=-0.862

-1
Line De Slope
0.0
A-A 8 0.5229
De=8
-2 B-B 20 0.5134 De=20 -0.4
C-C 40 0.5063
D-D 50 0.504
De=40
ln fc

Avg.Slope=0.51165 De=50 -0.8

-3
ln (fc/De-0.862)

A -1.2
A
-1.6
-4 B
-2.0
B
-2.4
-5 C

Coil-1, SN70, Water C D -2.8

Coil-2, SN70, Water D

-6 Coil-3, SN70, Water -4.1 -4.0 -3.9 -3.8 -3.7 -3.6 -3.5
Coil-4, SN70, Water ln (Di/D)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
ln De
Fig. 6 Variation of friction factor (ln fc) vs. (ln De) and (Di/D) for coils 1–4, used to develop correlation (18) under isothermal steady state condition
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3685

number with curvature ratios very near to the outlet of the coil The numbers of variables involved in the problem are sev-

þD 
diameter ðDi = Dco1:2 ci
and curvature ratios very near to the en and the prime variables selected are four namely ΔP, L, μ


inlet of the coil diameter ðDi = Dco þD
4
ci
. Figure 9 is a plot of ln and D There are thus three dimensionless groups:
fc vs. ln De to study the dependence of assumed curvature


π1 ¼ ΔP Di a ; V b ; and ρc ; π2 ¼ L Di a1 ; V b1 ; and ρc1
ratios on the friction factor values by different correlations
a2 b2 
a3 b3 
π3 ¼ μ Di ; V ; and ρ ; π4 ¼ D Di ; V ; and ρ
c2 c3

developed for coils 1–4 under isothermal steady state condi-

tion. The maximum difference in friction factor values of dif-
where, a, b, c, a1, b1, c1, a2, b2, c2 and a3, b3, c3 are the
ferent correlations developed is 3.81%, which means no ap-
exponents of the repeating variables. After analysis, according
preciable change in friction factor values is observed, in the
to Buckingham’s ‘π’ theorem the four non-dimensional num-
correlations considering curvature ratios along various posi-    
ΔP μ
tions of the horizontal spiral coil. bers obtained are π1 ¼ ρV 2 ; π2 ¼ Di ; π3 ¼ ρVDi
L
 
and π4 ¼ DDi . It is concluded that four dimensionless
3.2 Development of correlations based on Rnumber
groups fully replace the seven physical factors. We may combine
Let us assume that the pressure difference ΔP depend on the these four dimensionless groups for convenience; π5
following variables in the present experiment; the internal ΔP Di


¼ ðπ1 =2 π2 Þ ¼ ρV 2 2L ¼ f c , where, fc is the friction factor;
diameter of the spiral coil tube Di, the length of the coil L, rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
pffiffiffiffiffiffi  pffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffi
pffiffiffiffiffiffi
the average diameter of the spiral coil D, the velocity of the
π6 ¼ π2 ¼ Di ; π7 ¼
L
π2 π4 = π3 π4
flowing fluid V , the dynamic viscosity of the fluid μ and the
qffiffiffiffiqffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffiffiffiffiffi
density of the fluid ρ. Hence:
¼ Re DDi DLD2 ¼ De DLD2
i i
ΔP ¼ f ðρ; V; μ; Di ; D; LÞ ð19Þ

Equation fc=11.305(De)-0.855(Di/D)0.51165
2 Pearson's r -0.99256 99.5

95
Percentiles

70
1
40

10
ln [fc/(Di/D)0.51165]

0 1

0.01
-0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
-1 1.0
Residual

-2 0.5
Residual

-3 0.0
Coil-1, SN70, Water
Coil-2, SN70, Water
Coil-3, SN70, Water
-0.5
-4 Coil-4, SN70, Water
Correlation line
95% confidence band -4 -2 0 2
95% Prediction band
Fitted ln [fc/(Di/D)0.51165]
-5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
ln De
Fig. 7 Variation of friction factor ln [fc/ (Di/D)0.51165] vs. (ln De) for coils 1–4, used to develop correlation (18) under isothermal steady state condition
and cross-plots of normal probability plots of residuals and residual vs. fitted predicted friction factors for correlation (18)
3686 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi
but; De
LD
¼ Re
L
¼R ð20Þ rffiffiffiffiffiffi  
2 D L ρVDi
Di
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
i R¼ ð23Þ
 Di μ
hence, π7 ¼ Re L
Di and, the functional relationship between
The significance of this number is that it is a ratio of
the dimensionless numbers can be written as, inertia force by viscous force per unit diameter of the
s
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi!m straight or curved coil of unit length. This dimensionless
L number is not available in literature. Figure 10 is a plot of
π5 ¼ ψ ð π6 ; π7 Þ ¼ CR n1
¼ fc ð21Þ
Di ln fc vs. ln R number. The Pearson’s r value is −0.98549.
The 95% confidence interval band and prediction interval
band is also shown in the figure. The final correlation
The substitution is made on the postulate that taking recip- obtained is:
rocal or squaring or taking square root of a ‘π’ term or combi-
nation of different π terms does not change the nature of the ‘π’ f c ¼ 250:08 R−0:889 ð24Þ
terms. If ( π6) is excluded in Eq. (1) since, it is already includ-
ed in R number then the functional relationship for a fluid for
flowing through spiral coils under isothermal steady state con-
 
dition can be written as L
188 ≤ R ≤ 477545; 4 ≤ Re ≤ 11000; 527:5 ≤ ≤ 2110
Di
rffiffiffiffiffiffi  n2
ΔPDi L ρVDi The linear model explains the confidentiality by about
¼ C1 ¼ f c ¼ C1 Rn2 ð22Þ 94.92% as depicted in Fig. 11. The non-dimensional mean
2ρV 2 L Di μ
bias error was found to be −2.72622% and the standard
where, C1 and n2 are constants which can be found by deviation was found to be 20.1301%. In addition, root
performing experiments and R is a new dimensionless number: mean square error, RMSE was found to be 25.73%. A

0.6 0.9829
Equation fc corr=0.9411(fc exp)
Pearson's r 0.96658 99.5

0.5 95
Percentiles

70
Predicted friction factors

40

10
0.4
1

0.01
-0.10 -0.05 0.00 0.05
0.3 Residual

0.05

0.2
0.00
Residual

-0.05
0.1
-0.10

Correlation line
0.0 0.2 0.4
0.0 95% Confidence band Fitted predicted friction factors
95% Prediction band

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4

Experimental friction factors
Fig. 8 Comparison of experimental friction factors and predicted values of friction factors for fluid flow through spiral-coiled tube under isothermal
steady state condition and cross-plots of normal probability plots of residuals and residuals vs. fitted predicted friction factors for correlation (18)
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3687

Fig. 9 A plot of ln fc vs. ln De to 0 Correlation Assumed curvature Max.%

study the dependence of assumed developed ratio difference
curvature ratios on the friction in fc
factor values by different values
-1
correlations for coils-1-4 under fc=1.554(Di/D)-0.845 Di/D=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/2]
isothermal steady state condition fc=2.4249(Di/D)-0.877 Di/D=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/4] 3.81
fc=1.4303(Di/D)-0.877 Di/D=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/1.2]
-2

ln fc
-3

-4

(Di/D)=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/2]
-5
(Di/D)=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/4]
(Di/D)=Di/[(Dco+Dci)/1.2]
-6
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
ln De

2 Equation fc=250.08(R)-0.889
99.5
Pearson's r -0.98549
95
1
Percentiles

70
40

0 10

-1 0.01
-0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
Residual

-2
ln fc

1.0

-3 0.5
Residual

-4 0.0

Coil-1, SN70, Water

Coil-2, SN70, Water
-5 Coil-3, SN70, Water -0.5

Coil-4, SN70, Water

Correlation line -6 -4 -2 0

-6 95% Confidence band Fitted ln fc

95% Prediction band

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
ln R
Fig. 10 Variation of friction factor (ln fc) vs. (ln R) for coils 1–4, used to develop correlation (24) under isothermal steady state condition
3688 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

cross plot of percentiles vs. residuals is shown in Fig. 11, for

this plot is a straight line indicating that the residuals are  
normally distributed. A cross plot of residuals vs. fitted L
188≤ R ≤ 477545; 4 ≤ Re ≤ 11000; 527:5 ≤ ≤2110
predicted friction factors is also shown in Fig. 11. The Di
points are well scattered about the fitted line which indi-
cates that the fit is good. Figure 12 is a plot of ln fc vs. ln R The experimental values of friction factors were compared
number for four coils (1–4), from this plot, a cross plot of with predicted values of friction factors as obtained from cor-
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi relation (25) as shown in Fig. 14. The agreement between the
−0.9045 L
ln fc/R vs. ln Di is obtained to get an average two seems to be good also; it is clear from the curve fitting that
slope of 0.786875. It is observed from the plot that the the linear model explains the confidentiality by about 94.92%.
lines are well separated from each other and depend on The non-dimensional mean bias error, which is the measure of
qffiffiffiffi inaccuracy in experimental and predicted
L  values, is given by
Di ratios of the specific coils. This indicates that only f cexp: − f ccorr:
the formula MBE ¼ 100
N ∑1
N
f cexp: where, N is the num-
R number is not enough to characterize the fluid flow phe-
ber of test points. The calculated value of MBE was found to
nomenon occurring in spiral coil tube. Figure 13 is a cor-
qffiffiffiffi
be −0.87765% and the standarddeviation, which is calculated
0:786875
relation plot of ln f c = L
vs. ln R number. N  f cexp: − f ccorr: 
Di by the formula, SD ¼ 100 N ∑1  f  was found to be
cexp:

The Pearson’s r value is −0.99518. The 95% confidence 11.03%. In addition, root mean square error, RMSE is given
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 f − f 2
interval band and 95% prediction interval band is also
shown in the figure. The final correlation obtained is: by the formula RMSE; ¼ 100  N1 ∑N1 cexp:f ccorr: was
cexp:

rffiffiffiffiffiffi0:786875 found to be 13.47%. A cross plot of percentiles vs. residuals

L
f c ¼ 17:03 R−0:903 ð25Þ is shown in Fig. 14, this plot is a straight line indicating that
Di the residuals are normally distributed. A cross plot of residuals

2.5 0.9713
Equation fc corr=0.9151(fc exp)
Pearson's r 0.94923 99.5

95
Percentiles

2.0 70
Predicted friction factors

40

10

1.5 0.01
-0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Residual

0.05
1.0
0.00
Residual

-0.05
0.5
-0.10

Correlation line
0.0 0.2 0.4
95% Confidence band Fitted predicted friction factors
0.0 95% Prediction band

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Experimental friction factors
Fig. 11 Comparison of experimental friction factors and predicted values of friction factors for fluid flow through spiral-coiled tube under isothermal
steady state condition and cross-plots of normal probability plots of residuals and residuals vs. fitted predicted friction factors for correlation (24)
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3689

vs. fitted predicted friction factors is also shown in Fig. 14.
The points are well scattered about the fitted line which indi-
cates that the fit is good.
4 Discussion
When secondary flow is superimposed on the main axial flow
in spiral coils due to the variable curvature ratios of the coil,
the values of friction factors tend to be higher than the straight
tube friction factors. Dean number alone is not enough to
characterize the fluid flow phenomenon in curved coils [21].
According to Dean, the Dean number is enough to character-
ize the fluid flow phenomenon, but his perturbation analysis is
valid for very small values of curvature ratios. This has also
been observed by Tarbell and Samuels [21] in their numerical
works on curved coils. It has been observed from present
experiment that Dean number can correlate the friction factors
in curved coils, but a better correlation with high Pearson’s
coefficient is obtained if a separate curvature ratio term is
involved in the correlation along with Dean number. Eqs.
(18) and (25) can be used for the design of spiral coils in
any industrial heat transfer units. Eq. (25) is indeed superior
to Eq. (18) because of the following reasons; (1) Number of
variables involved in Eq. (25) are less than number of vari-
ables involved in Eq. (18). (2) The uncertainty involved in


measurement of DDi is indeed higher than the uncertainty in-
 
volved in measurement of DLi ratio, which ultimately reflects in
the correlation developed. (3) Eq. (25) is relatively easy to use in
design of spiral coils rather than Eq. (18). (4) An ambiguity exists


in literature, whether to use average curvature ratio DDi in devel-
opment of correlations on variable curvature ratio coils, as is used
by Kubair and Kuloor [13], Paisarn Naphon [22] or to develop
separate correlations at the inlet and outlet of the variable curva-
ture coil Shah [1]. This ambiguity has no place in Eq. (25). (5)
Similarity in correlations for straight tubes and curved tubes is
achieved, since the variables governing the fluid flow phenome-
non remain the same in straight tube as well as curved tubes.
Di (6)
For the use of Eq. (18) for design purpose, exact value of D is
necessary, which can be measured easily in helical coils with


some uncertainty. In spiral coil DDi value can be measured with

Coil v (L/Di) Slope

Coil-1 43.757 -0.915
3 Coil-2 45.93658 -0.901
Coil-3 22.96737 -0.899
Coil-4 36.91206 -0.903
2
Avg.Slope=-
0.9045
1
Line R number Slope R=5000
A-A 5000 0.8045
R=10000 -1.2
B-B 10000 0.789
R=15000
0 C-C 15000 0.7825
R=30000 -1.6
D-D 30000 0.7715
Avg.Slope=0.786875 A
-2.0
-1
ln (fc/R-0.9045)
ln fc

A B -2.4

-2 C -2.8
B
-3.2
-3 C D
-3.6

-4 D -4.0

Coil-1, SN70, Water 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0

-5 Coil-2, SN70, Water ln √(L/Di)

Coil-3, SN70, Water
Coil-4, SN70, Water
-6
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
ln R
Fig. 12 Variation of friction factor (ln fc) vs. (ln R) and ln (v(L/Di) for coils 1–4, used to develop correlation (25) under isothermal steady state condition
3690 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

more uncertainty than helical coils, but when coils of arbitrary
shape and irregular curvatures are concerned the uncertainty in
measurement increases drastically. Sometimes it is not possible
to determine the value of the average curvature ratio, which
ultimately renders Eq. (18) of limited utility. This is not the case
 
in Eq. (25) in which the ratio DLi can be measured for any type
of curved coils with precision. Equations (17, 18, 24, and 25)
based on experimental values of fluid friction; show an accept-
able range of deviations of ±10%. Figure 15 is a plot of ln fc vs. ln
fc by Eq. (25) for comparison of developed correlations Eqs.
(18), (25) with the correlations of White [7], Ito [10], fc of
straight tube and Eq. (3) for coil-2. Correlation on spiral coils
for friction factors based on Dean number under laminar flow is
not available in literature Hence, as per the tradition, the com-
parison of the developed correlation Eqs. (18) and (25) is done
with the existing correlations on helical coils, torus and coiled
coils. It is observed from Fig. 15 that the friction factors as
predicted by Eq. (25) stand lower than the friction factors as
predicted by correlation of White [7], Ito [10] by
±21.72%, 20.87%, and it stands higher than friction fac-
tors of straight tube and Eq. (3) by 19.34 and 14.58%
respectively for coil-2. Figure 16 is a plot of ln fc vs. ln
fc by Eq. (25) for comparison of developed correlations
Eqs. (18), (25) with the correlations of White [7], Ito [10],
fc of straight tube and Eq. (3) for coil-3. It is also ob-
served from Fig. 16 that the friction factors as predicted
by Eq. (25) stand lower than the friction factors as pre-
dicted by correlation of White [7], Ito [10] by ±23.53%,
20.18%, and it stands higher than friction factors of
straight tube and Eq. (3) by 26.06 and 17.58% respective-
ly for coil-3. Similar trend is seen in other coils also, not
shown here. Friction factors predicted by Eqs. (18) and
(25) are higher than friction factors of straight pipe by
about 26% for all the coils. This indicates that the friction
factors of spiral coils lie between friction factors of helical
coils and friction factors of straight pipes. It is also ob-
served that the difference in friction factor values of heli-
cal coils, spiral coils and straight tube gradually goes on
increasing as Reynold’s number increase.

-1
Equation fc=17.03(R)-0.903√(L/Di)0.786875
Pearson's r -0.99518 99.5

-2 95
Percentiles

70
40
-3
10
ln [fc/√(L/Di)0.786875]

1
-4
0.01
-0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
Residual
-5 1.0

-6 0.5
Residual

-7 0.0

Coil-1, SN70, Water

Coil-2, SN70, Water
-8 Coil-3, SN70, Water -0.5

Coil-4, SN70, Water

Correlation line -10 -8 -6 -4 -2
-9 95% Confidence band Fitted ln [fc/√(L/Di)0.786875]
95% Prediction band

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
ln R
0.786875
Fig. 13 Variation of ln [fc/v(L/Di) vs. (ln R) and for coils 1–4, used to develop correlation (25) under isothermal steady state condition
Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693 3691

2.5 0.9921
Equation fc corr=0.9754(fc exp)
Pearson's r 0.94923 99.5

95

Percentiles
2.0 70
Predicted friction factors

40

10

1.5 0.01
-0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Residual

0.05
1.0
0.00

Residual
-0.05
0.5
-0.10

Correlation line
0.0 0.2 0.4
95% Confidence band Fitted predicted friction factors
0.0 95% Prediction band

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Experimental friction factors
Fig. 14 Comparison of experimental friction factors and predicted values of friction factors for fluid flow through spiral-coiled tube under isothermal
steady state condition and cross-plots of normal probability plots of residuals and residuals vs. fitted predicted friction factors for correlation (25)

Fig. 15 A plot of ln fc vs. ln fc by -1

Eq. (25) for comparison of
developed correlations Eqs. (18),
(25) based on present
experimental readings for (Re = -2
4–11,000, (L/Di) = 527.5–2110,
De = 0.55–1830, R = 188–
477,545, for coil-2, under
isothermal steady state condition
-3
ln fc

-4

Correlation Eq. (25), spiral coil

-5 White [7], helical coil
Ito [10], curved tube
Kubair and Kuloor Eq. (3), spiral coil
fs straight tube
Correlation Eq. (18), spiral coil
-6
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
ln fc by Eq. (25)
3692 Heat Mass Transfer (2018) 54:3673–3693

Fig. 16 A plot of ln fc vs. ln fc by 0

Eq. (25) for comparison of
developed correlations Eqs. (18),
(25) based on present
experimental readings for -1
(Re = 4–11,000, (L/Di) = 527.5–
2110, De = 0.55–1830, R = 188–
477,545, for coil-3, under
isothermal steady state condition -2

ln fc
-3

-4
Correlation Eq. (25), spiral coil
White [7], helical coil
Ito [10], curved tube
Kubair and Kuloor Eq. (3), spiral coil
-5 fs straight tube
Correlation Eq. (18), spiral coil

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
ln fc by Eq. (25)

5 Conclusion References

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